Chrysochus chinensis
Scientists have studied this leaf beetle as a possible biological control agent against an invasive milkweed vine now spreading through North America.
| Where | Grassland and scrub across northern China |
|---|---|
| Size | 7.2 to 13.5 mm body length |
| When | May to August |
This leaf beetle has a rounded, shiny body in metallic blue green, typical of its genus of milkweed-vine feeding leaf beetles. Its Korean and Chinese common names both describe the same blue green sheen.
Adults and larvae feed on Vincetoxicum and Cynanchum vines in the milkweed family, and the species has been studied as a possible biological control agent against related invasive vines in North America.
Traits
Habitat
Grassland
Colour
Blue, Green, Metallic
Active
Day
To people
Harmless to people; does not bite or sting.
Activity through the year
Often confused with
Has a more coppery green sheen and feeds on bindweeds and sweet potato rather than the milkweed-vine hosts used by this species.
Questions
Is Chrysochus chinensis dangerous to people?
Harmless to people; does not bite or sting.
When can you see Chrysochus chinensis?
Chrysochus chinensis can be seen from May to August, by day.
Plate retouched from a photo by PampaSorro, CC BY 4.0, iNaturalist Licence
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Beetles›Leaf beetles›Chrysochus
Last updated 2026-09-27. Every entry is checked against published sources.